Super League champion St Helens has sealed a pulsating World Club Challenge victory over Penrith, beating the reigning NRL premiers 13-12 in golden point.
Key points:
- St Helens is the first British side to win the World Club Challenge on Australian soil in 29 years
- Lewis Dodd kicked a field goal to give St Helens the victory
- A converted Brian To’o try late in the match saw Penrith force golden-point extra time
In front of 13,873 spectators who had to brave an electrical storm at Penrith Stadium, St Helens became the first British side to win the competition on Australian soil since Wigan defeated Brisbane in 1994.
Halfback Lewis Dodd kicked the winning field goal to ice the victory for the visitors on Saturday night.
Spearheaded by mercurial fullback Jack Welsby and veteran hooker James Roby, the Saints became just the third team to beat Ivan Cleary’s side at Penrith Stadium since the start of 2020.
They looked to be heading for victory inside 80 minutes until Panthers star Brian To’o scored with 90 seconds left.
Nathan Cleary kicked the conversion to level the match up but a knock-on from Stephen Crichton — who was standing in at fullback for Dylan Edwards — allowed Saints to strike through Dodd in extra time.
The Saints were more than a match for the Panthers throughout the contest.
They opened the scoring when Curtis Sironen made a bust upfield, with Welsby flying up in support to go over after eight minutes.
Soon after, the livewire St Helens number one stopped Cleary scoring a certain try and his efforts allowed his side to go on the attack.
The Panthers withstood some early pressure but there was nothing they could do when Konrad Hurrell barrelled his way over for the English champions in the 15th minute.
Penrith needed a circuit-breaker and it came in the shape of a trademark Cleary bomb, with Will Hopoate knocking on a floating kick.
Things got worse for the tourists when they lost winger and first-choice goalkicker Tommy Makinson to a HIA but they were able to repel a clunky Penrith attack to go in 10-0 up at half-time.
The resumption of play was delayed by 10 minutes due to the lightning but when the second half kicked off the Saints were able to add a further two points through a Mark Percival penalty.
The Panthers needed a lifeline and it came in the shape of a smart chip kick from Cleary in the 50th minute.
Welsby flapped at the ball as it went into the St Helens in-goal and Izack Tago scored, with Cleary adding the conversion.
To’o then barged his way over at the death to send the match to golden point.
But it was St Helens’ night, with Dodd kicking the crucial field goal to send a travelling legion of British fans into a frenzy.
AAP
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